Sir, – The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage latest monthly figures for those living in emergency accommodation revealed that 5,830 children are now in such accommodation.
The number has risen by more than 1,200 since the Government was formed in January 2025.
In just one month, that number increased by 171. We cannot continue to watch these numbers rise and not do everything in our power to prevent this from happening.
The ripple effect of living in such circumstances seeps into every aspect of a child’s life. Research shows that homelessness can affect a child’s relationship with their parent(s), their ability to engage in education and their physical and mental health. Children have to say goodbye to their family pet and dinners at the table.
READ MORE
Charities working directly with children and families experiencing homelessness have been highlighting the need to address the harm caused by homelessness for too long. Yet despite the continuous increase in the number of children being exposed to homelessness, to date we await a co-ordinated approach to address the impact this is having on them.
Last year, the Government published Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, which includes a commitment to develop a cross-departmental and agency-led Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The plan promises to include enhanced supports for children and measures to speed up exits and reduce the time spent in homeless emergency accommodation and address issues around education and nutrition.
While we welcome this in principle, the plan has yet to be published. If it is the budget that has stopped this then the next step is clear.
What is needed is significant investment for child support workers and family support services, and significant investment in services that provide the scaffolding for vulnerable families the State has failed to deliver – the domestic violence refuges, the mental health services, the community organisations who work day in, day out to support children and families experiencing homelessness to live as normal a life as possible.
This housing crisis is perpetuating a child poverty crisis. If we do not see cross-departmental ownership, action and attention, we will be condemning this generation to a future hampered by the cycle of inequality. – Yours, etc,
TANYA WARD,
Chief Executive,
Children’s Rights Alliance,
Dublin.
